Peoria celebration shares values, traditions of Kwanzaa holiday

PEORIA — Garry Moore kept the mood light while he explained the history and meanings of Kwanzaa to local residents at a celebration of the holiday Saturday.

The event was sponsored by Moore's wife, 1st District City Councilwoman Denise Moore, and ran from noon to 3 p.m. at the Peoria Public Library Downtown, 107 NE Monroe Ave.

Garry started the event by playing his drum and getting the crowd to interact through dance. He then launched into some of the history of Kwanzaa, such as how to say a few words in Swahili, the language he said is associated with Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa is a seven-day holiday, running from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 every year. Each day has a theme corresponding with a candle to be lit in a kinara, the holder for the seven candles of Kwanzaa. It is also not associated with any religions, instead focusing on community and values.

All of the days stand for different values, from unity to responsibility to cooperative economics. Denise Moore said these values can help the 1st District, and they are not unique.

"We're just putting them in the context where the average everyday person can understand them," she said.

She added that the event was using a strategy that intertwines education with entertainment to keep the audience engaged.

Denise Moore said when they have done this in other communities, it starts out small and grows to where it is "a pretty big deal." The event was organized by volunteers and Ledell Watts, a New York choreographer who grew up in Peoria.

The crowd grew after the first break around 12:45 p.m. Besides Garry Moore's informational sections, the event also featured a free lunch and volunteers playing with the drummers on hand.

Denise Moore said she plans to keep this celebration going as long as she is on the City Council.

Robert Connelly can be reached at rconnelly@pjstar.com or 686-3251. Follow him on Twitter @RConnelly_PJS.